NovelEnglishChapter 101 In the private dining room of the hotel, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
As soon as Adrian entered, his curiosity was piqued by the spirited and kind-faced elderly woman seated at the table.
This must be the great-aunt Mom toldabout, he thought.
Adrian was not shy by nature. Despite having never met Jade before, he sweetly greeted her, "Hello, Great- Aunt." "Oh, hello, hello," Jade responded, her eyes crinkling with delight.
She rose from her seat, intending to embrace Adrian. However, age had taken its toll, and at seven years old, the boy was too heavy for her to lift.
Adrian, ever the quick thinker, playfully threw himself into Jade's arms, showering her with affectionate sweetness.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJade looked down at the little one cuddled against her, studying him with growing fondness. Despite his eyes resembling his father's fox-like gaze, his features were delicately handsome, echoing his mother's.
Her heart swelled with joy, and she produced a gift she had prepared in advance -a meticulously crafted locket of white jade, adorned with a translucent emerald bead.
The jade was of the highest quality, its sheen revealing its value at a glance.
Jade had sourced the rare material years ago, personally designing the piece and commissioning the world- renowned St. Clair Family jewelers to carve it. Afterwards, she had it blessed by a revered priest, making it priceless.
She hoped it would protect her great-grandnephew, keeping him safe and prosperous throughout his life.
Jade moved to place the locket around Adrian's neck, but he instinctively shied away.
It wasn't that Adrian didn't want it, but he already wore a jade pendant from his grandmother, an amulet he had worn since infancy and was instructed never to remove.
He couldn't possibly wear two necklaces at once.
Besides, having just met Jade, he felt a stronger connection to his grandmother's gift.
Misinterpreting Adrian's hesitation as dislike, Jade felt a pang of disappointment, her hand awkwardly suspended mid-air with the locket.
"Adrian!" Mila's voice gently chided, quickly offering reassurance to Jade. "Great- Aunt, Adrian's grandmother gave him a jade pendant when he was little, and it's been blessed. She specifically asked that he never take it off. It's not that he doesn't like your gift." Jade's misunderstanding cleared. She was aware that blessed items carried certain traditional significance, yet she couldn't help but feel a touch of regret and frustration.
"It's my fault. I should have anticipated that his family would have already prepared something special. I'll think of something else to give Adrian next time," Jade said, beginning to tuck the locket away.
But Adrian, with a charming smile, clasped Jade's aged, delicate hand. "No, Great-Aunt, I love anything you give me. This isn't heavy at all-I can wear two." With that, he took the locket and slipped it over his head.
He remembered his mother's earlier instructions: whatever Great-Aunt gave him, he was to accept with gratitude. If he behaved well today, he could ask for any reward later.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe reward didn't matter much; behaving well was his way of making up for the this mother fainted.
Seeing Adrian's endearing compliance, Jade's heart overflowed with happiness.
During dinner, Jade peppered Adrian with questions about his life, eager to connect with her great-grandnephew. The boy answered each inquiry with polite charm. Mila sat nearby, quietly serving both Jade and Adrian.
The scene of familial harmony didn't surprise her; she had always known her son to be astute. Although sfamily members indulged him, his education in manners and social graces was thorough, making him. both perceptive and wise beyond his years. Though young, Adrian already exhibited glimpses of his father's demeanor.
Father and son, when they wished, could effortlessly make others around them content and open-hearted, drawing people into their orbit.
Yet, this heartfelt charm was never offered to her.
Lysander had always been indifferent to her, and while Adrian used to be more tender, he too had grown distant over the past two years, treating her with increasing disregard. She had worried that today might bring disobedience or embarrassment in front of Great-Aunt, revealing any familial discord.
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